For a PV installer, there's nothing worse than having to return to a jobsite. Except, of course, having to do it more than once. We've all heard the expression "work smarter, not harder," but you would be surprised how often solar installers get in a truck and roll out to a jobsite to adjust or repair something that probably could have been fixed remotely back at HQ. Many software-savvy solar installers are boning up on best-practices to better utilize the systems and information already available to them-most of it right at their fingertips-to save both time and money.

For solar arrays, the most critical software typically lies within the power conversion devices, gateways and interconnected online monitoring platform provided by the inverter manufacturer. The online platform not only monitors the performance of the system, but also tracks a profusion of data points simultaneously and stores that information in the cloud. By checking certain performance specs, settings, activity and historical data, installers can quickly troubleshoot and fix common hitches or, at worst, narrow down the problem that's plaguing a PV system...

Solar Power World's 2017 Top Solar Contractors list is out, and APsystem solar partners are in the top ranks.

The annual list ranks solar installers and other contractors according to their influence in the U.S. solar industry. These leading firms are active in markets across the country, and SPW notes the cumulative installation numbers from the past year in all markets, services and states.

Congratulations to APsystems solar partners who made the list. Thank you for showing leadership across the industry and pointing the way to a clean energy future.